Tech Desk
Aug 05, 2024
Northrop Grumman’s spacecraft, Cygnus, launched atop SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, encountered an error following its successful launch from Kennedy Space Centre on Sunday.
NASA reported the issue on its website, stating that the uncrewed 8,200-pound spacecraft had missed its burn cycle.
"Shortly after launch, the spacecraft missed its first burn slated for 11:44am due to a late entry to burn sequencing," NASA said on its website on Sunday.
It added that it rescheduled the "targeted altitude burn" or "TBI" but later aborted it following engine ignition due to a slightly low initial pressure state.
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"There is no indication the engine itself has any problem at this time," the space agency said.
The spacecraft remains at a safe distance, and Northrop Grumman engineers are working to get Cygnus back on track.
NASA maintains its original aim of having Cygnus dock at the ISS (International Space Station) by 3:10 AM ET, on Tuesday, 6 August.
Cygnus has had an impressive record of conducting such flights for the past 11 years. This hiccup is bound to be a surprise for onlookers who have developed a habit of relying on the craft’s reliability. Nevertheless, Northrop Grumman remains adamant about the eventual success of the mission.
Cygnus is carrying a range of science experiments, spacewalk and vehicle equipment, as well as computer resources for the ISS crew.
